| dc.description.abstract | It has been suggested that the demand of university athletics can hinder academic success. Furthermore major selection may be dependent on ease of eligibility and lead to academic clustering. The purpose of this study was to determine how student athlete's sport and major affect their grade point average (GPA) at the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO). There has yet to be a study relating individual sports team's major selection and GPA. This study used unidentifiable academic data from Fall 2005 to Fall 2012 of UCO student athletes. This study included 743 student athletes from seven major sports and all eight academic colleges. A sample size of 743 student athletes from the academic Fall 2005 to Spring 2012 was used for the study. For all of the differences, one way ANOVAs were conducted with a p value of 0.05. Since there was no homogeneity found between any of the groups, all post hoc tests were conducted with Games Howell. The results demonstrated in GPA to sport there was a significant difference in males and females (p = 0.01). The male sports (football, baseball and wrestling) had a significantly different GPA compared to the female sports (rowing, basketball, softball and track). Female sports had a higher GPA averaging 2.94 (SD = 0.07), compared to males with a mean GPA of 2.27 (SD = 0.8). There was a significant difference between the College of Education (CEPS) to Math and Science (CMS), F(7, 742) = 9.47, p = 0.024, and Undeclared, F(7, 742) = 9.47, p = 0.01. Of the ten most frequent majors General Studies, F(4, 151) = 10.035, p = 0.01, Industrial Safety, F(2, 52) = 6.451, p = 0.01, and Undeclared, F(5, 43) = 2.864, p = 0.01, major had a significant difference between the sports. Academic clustering occurred with 48% of student athletes choosing majors in CEPS. Overall there was a significant difference in GPA by team and major. Female team reported higher GPAs than males in many of the majors. The differences in GPA were best demonstrated in the Undeclared major. Females reported a higher GPA and less roster years in this major. Females may be declaring a major earlier than male student athletes, which dictates more academic success. This researcher implies that if student athletes declare a major earlier, they may adapt to the strains of academic life earlier. This acclamation will allow for higher GPA and more roster years, which are both the implications of the APR. Further research on academic clustering of the sports during this time period is needed. More research about change in college enrollment of student athletes and demographics is warranted to better describe academic clustering at UCO. Other demographic factors such as race and academic preparation may also aid in demonstrating the difference in GPA by major and sport. | |
